Featured Gale Whit ...handmade lampwork beads

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Lucille.b, Sep 21, 2022.

  1. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Total dead end on researching this, probably some mix-up with the name, or possible the artist wasn't in the business of making lamp work beads for very long, and/or worked pre-internet. Got these last week at a garage sale. The older woman who was selling them said she got them several decades ago at "Piccadilly Studios" and that the artist was "Gale Whit".

    I can find absolutely nothing on that unusual name, also zero on the studio. The seller wrote the name on the bag, so I know I have the spelling with what she thought was correct. She seemed quite specific about it, and her memory seemed clear on other matters. I figured I'd get home and find the name, but no such luck. Price was good, I could see the quality, so have zero buyer's remorse but if by some miracle anyone recognizes the artist's name, let me know! :happy: Here is the group:

    whit3.jpg

    whit4.jpg

    whit5.jpg
    whit6.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
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  2. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    The beads are fairly nice Italian lampwork. I have some kicking around myself. The name is probably the person who put the bracelets together. The beadmakers were anyonymous Italian chaps.
     
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  3. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    Lovely beads! I wouldn’t have buyers remorse either!
     
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  4. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Nice. Those toggle clasps are no older than the 90s.
     
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  5. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    1990s could be about right. Owner said she got them a few decades ago.

    The woman holding the yard sale went on and on about how this artist "Gale Whit" made the beads (the owner told me she paid $250) and had a whole story about how they worked together with some real-estate deal. I should have been paying better attention, but I was scanning the sale and only half listening. I got the three pieces for $40 total, which actually turned into $30 since we combined it with another item I bought.

    As I look at some other artisan lampwork beads it seems possible they were artisan.

    Here's an auction from Ebay:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2655090398...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

    For example these by Nirit Dekel which sold for $320.

    at1.jpg

    Some similarity. I know not the same artist, but I do think there is a chance they were artisan made.

    whit3.jpg
    Not reselling them at the moment. But would love to find out who Gale Whit was!

    Occurs to me I could stop back at the house, or drop the former owner a card. I live fairly close, less than a mile, and the person who sold them was quite lovely. I'll report back if I learn anything.

    Thanks to everyone who took a look. :)
     
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  6. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    I suspect the problem is there's so many good small studio lampworkers out there.
     
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  7. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    Studio glass is like studio pottery - minus the illegible signatures.
     
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  8. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

  9. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Yep. Even the country of origin can be a mystery.
     
  10. reader

    reader Well-Known Member

    Classic lamp work studio beads-IMO 80s-90s and I’d guess American but they could have been made anywhere. Love these-I love studio glass beads and you stole them IMO.
     
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  11. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    And stole them the 2nd day of the sale. I could see the work in them and wasn't turned off by the price of $40.
     
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  12. LucyLocket

    LucyLocket Well-Known Member

    There is a Gail Witt who is/was involved with something called "Creation is Messy" & "Messy Colors" and she seems to have made lampwork beads. I also came across her in "Pickadilly Studio" on Etsy. But the last activity I can see regarding her with these was in 2016. Sorry, I can't do links but they are easy enough to find.
     
  13. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    That's amazing info @LucyLocket. :) This is my first lead! Much appreciated. Off to take a look and thank you for taking the time to write!
     
  14. LucyLocket

    LucyLocket Well-Known Member

    No problem at all - good luck with your search! Meant to say I really like your jewellery, especially the blues & greens - great find.
     
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